Monique Morton Obituary, Death; – A rider and two horses lost their lives when a vehicle collided with them along Highway 371 in the southwestern region of Riverside County.
The tragic incident took place shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday on the westbound side of Highway 371, close to Bailiff Road, as reported by the California Highway Patrol and the Riverside County Fire Department.
According to authorities, a driver, whose speed remains unverified, struck the horses and the solitary rider, who has been identified as 48-year-old Monique Morton from Anza.
County fire paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene approximately 20 minutes later. It remains uncertain whether the horses succumbed to their injuries from the collision or were humanely euthanized.
Further details are not yet available, including the status of the driver and whether the California Highway Patrol suspects that alcohol or drugs were factors in the accident.
The two-lane highway was partially closed until the early hours of Monday while an initial investigation was carried out.
Authorities are urging anyone with pertinent information regarding the investigation to reach out to the Indio CHP office at 760-772-8938.
